Dream comes true for Matri

Juventus striker Alessandro Matri said it was a ‘dream’ to score the winning goal in his side’s 1-0 victory over Inter Milan on Sunday.

The 26-year-old struck for the third time since signing with Juve in January and put a serious dent in Inter’s hopes of retaining the Serie A title.

Juventus themselves are 11 points adrift of league-leaders AC Milan, but Matri said he would do everything possible to help his new club continue their title push.

“It’s one of the most important goals of my career,” Matri said. “The match against Inter was one of those beautiful ones that I used to watch at home and dream about playing in.”

“I dedicate it to my family who have always supported me. I didn’t expect to start my Juventus career this way, but I certainly hoped for it because I always believed in my abilities and the understanding I have with Luca Toni is working.”

“You need to work double for a big club and I will do that every day.”

Juventus manager Luigi Delneri thought his team’s 1-0 win against Inter in Serie A was well deserved, refuting suggestions from Inter boss Leonardo that a draw would have been a fairer result.

“We should always be honest and direct in football and I’m always direct and honest and I have to say that Juventus really deserved to win today and we could have scored more goals,” Delneri said.

“My team didn’t give Inter many opportunities. I don’t know how Leonardo could have said that we could have drawn.”

“Of course there it could have been a draw since their team is made up of many skilled players.”

Delneri was also pleased with new signing Andrea Barzagli from Wolfsburg, saying the midfielder gives Juventus greater balance in the centre of the park.

“(Andrea) Barzagli has the skills to play as centre. I think he has improved a great deal thanks to the experience he got in Germany. Now he is working very well and I’m happy for him,” Delneri said.

“Thanks to his presence, we have managed to move (Giorgio) Chiellini on the left, where we have had difficulties in the past and Giorgio is able to adapt very well in this role as if he has always played in that role.”